Passive inhaler with blister strip

Abstract

A passive inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. The inhaler comprises a metallic piercing member with two piercing elements extending at least essentially in V-shape away from each other and being at least essentially flat. A contact member is arranged between the piercing elements to contact a lid of a blister pocket in an area between separate openings formed by the piercing elements in the lid,

1 . An Inhaler ( 1 ) for delivery of an inhalation formulation from a band-shaped carrier which is a blister strip ( 2 ), with a plurality of receptacles which are blister pockets ( 3 ), containing the inhalation formulation in doses, comprising:
 a conveyor ( 5 ) for stepwise onward movement of the blister strip ( 2 ), and   a piercing member ( 7 ) to puncture a lid ( 27 ) of a receptacle to be opened,   the inhaler ( 1 ) being designed such that—by breathing in during inhalation—an air stream ( 9 ) of ambient air can be sucked in or delivered in order to discharge the respective dose from an opened receptacle,   characterized in that the piercing member ( 7 ) comprises only two piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) for forming only two separate openings ( 28 ,  29 ) in the lid ( 27 ), the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) extending at least essentially in V-shape away from each other and being at least essentially flat, and/or   that the piercing member ( 7 ) comprises two piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) extending at least essentially in V-shape away from each other, a contact member ( 30 ) being arranged between the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) so that the contact member ( 30 ) contacts the lid ( 27 ) in an area between separate openings ( 28 ,  29 ) formed by the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) in the lid ( 27 ).   
     
     
         2 . The Inhaler according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are inclined to: the lid ( 27 ) to be punctured, to the surface or main plane of the lid ( 27 ) or carrier, to the longitudinal extension of the carrier, to the onward movement ( 5   a ) of the carrier, and/or to the piercing movement of the piercing member ( 7 ) relative to the receptacle to be punctured. 
     
     
         3 . The Inhaler according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are tapered at its free ends. 
     
     
         4 . The Inhaler according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are inclined to each other by an angle of about 80 to 100 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The Inhaler according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the piercing member ( 7 ) is made of sheet material, wherein the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are formed by bending part of the sheet material into an inclined position. 
     
     
         6 . The Inhaler according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the sheet material is a metal sheet which is spring steel or stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The Inhaler according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are spaced from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The Inhaler according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the contact member ( 30 ) comprises or forms a flat or ridge-like contact area for contacting the lid ( 27 ) in an unruptured area. 
     
     
         9 . The Inhaler according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the contact member ( 30 ) extends over the entire width of the carrier or receptacle that is open or to be opened. 
     
     
         10 . The Inhaler according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are held by or connected to a common flat member. 
     
     
         11 . The Inhaler according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the piercing member ( 7 ) is essentially flat or plate-like and/or extends essentially perpendicular to a piercing movement of the piercing member ( 7 ) relative to the receptacle to be punctured. 
     
     
         12 . The Inhaler according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the inhaler ( 1 ) comprises a molded and/or unitary insert ( 17 ) holding or forming the piercing member ( 7 ). 
     
     
         13 . The Inhaler according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the piercing elements ( 25 ,  26 ) are held by or connected to the contact member ( 30 ).